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UPDATE-FREE TICKETS:  Thanks to a generous donation from our sponsors, Apache Casino Hotel and Hilliary Media Group, this year's SPJ Oklahoma Pro Chapter Workshops & Awards Banquet is now FREE to attendees. Please register for your FREE TICKETS HERE . If you have already purchased tickets, the chapter will reimburse you for the cost. We would like to thank our sponsors for their support and their commitment to helping journalists, students and educators attend this event. 

OKLAHOMA — The Society of Professional Journalists, Oklahoma Pro Chapter will hold its 2022 awards banquet on Oct. 15 at the Apache Casino Hotel in Lawton, OK. 

This year, the SPJ Oklahoma Pro Chapter is also offering free workshops before the banquet for all attendees. AND we have reduced the banquet TICKETS ARE FREE thanks to a generous donation from our sponsors Apache Casino Hotel & Hilliary Media Group!

The weekend kicks off on Friday, October 14 with a Happy Hour & Networking event at 7 p.m. at the beautiful Apache Casino Hotel.

On Saturday, October 15 there will be four breakout sessions beginning at 1 p.m.

Afterward we invite you to join us at 6 p.m. for Happy Hour (it's our favorite hour). We end the weekend with the SPJ Oklahoma Pro Chapter Awards Banquet at 7 p.m.

Congratulations to a special category winners (AKA the Big 3 Winners)

Lifetime Achievement Award

Gary Fife 

Teacher of the Year 

Darcy Delaney-Nelson 

Carter Bradley First Amendment Award

OU Daily 

Hotel Info

SPJ OK Pro Chapter Conference & Banquet attendees can enter G2210SP in the offer code in the hotel section of the hotel website, www.apachecasinohotel.com select the dates and enter the desired room. The discounted SPJ rate is $119 plus tax. 

Thank you to our sponsors Hilliary Communications & Apache Casino Hotel

Friday, October 14, 2022

7 p.m. Happy Hour & Networking Event 

Conference Room

Saturday, October 15, 2022

1 p.m. Breakout Session hotel meeting rooms

Breakout Session 1--Tips for a Successful Freelance Writing Career

Moderated by Heide Brandes, SPJ OK President and award-winning freelance writer

Breakout Session 2--Open Meetings & Open Records

Dr. Joey Senat, associate professor, Mass Communication and Multimedia Journalism, Oklahoma State University

https://media.okstate.edu/faculty/jsenat/vitae/vitae.html

Kathryn E. Gardner, Local Legal Initiative staff attorney based in Oklahoma, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

https://www.rcfp.org/author/kathryn-e-gardner/

Moderator: Dr. William Hickman, adjunct professor, Rose State College; professor emeritus, University of Central Oklahoma

Breakout Session 3--Solutions Journalism: Leading by example

Co-moderated by M. Scott Carter and by John Small, managing editor of the Johnston County Sentinel in Tishomingo, this session will focus on the concept that local news outlets can - and should - do more than simply report on activities in our communities, they should participate. Examples such as newspapers taking an active role in the planning and construction of a local war memorial and the creation of a local literacy organization will be among the items of discussion.

Small will share some examples from his own experience, as well as examples provided by Mark Codner of the Newcastle News (who will be unable to attend personally). He will be joined by University of Oklahoma Professor John Schmeltzer

Those attending the panel can share their own stories of their outlets’ particular activities aimed at giving back to the community, and brainstorm with other attendees to come up with ideas for possible projects in the future.

Breakout Session 4--Video Editing 101

Taught by Rick Lippert

6 p.m. Happy Hour

7 p.m. 2022 SPJ Oklahoma Pro Chapter Awards Banquet (see our teaser list below)